Amsterdam Exposed: An American's Journey Into The Red Light District

by David Wienir

Amsterdam Exposed tells the true one-of-a-kind story of an innocent exchange student who moves to Amsterdam hoping to write a book about the red light district and everything that follows. It's an American abroad story, and also a love story; it's an uplifting tragedy, full of humor from beginning to end; it's an Amsterdam survival guide; a sympathetic look at a societal problem; a little piece of policy; a sweet farewell to a world just about gone; and, ultimately, as close as you can come to a free trip to Amsterdam without leaving your couch. In sum, Amsterdam Exposed takes readers deep into the district on a journey never before possible, forever reshaping their understanding of one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and the women who work there. If you've ever spent time in Amsterdam, or dreamed of doing so, this book's for you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir

268 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

David Wienir is an Associate General Counsel at HarperCollins Publishers and Head of Business and Legal Affairs at HarperCollins Productions.

Before HarperCollins, he was a business affairs executive for over a decade at United Talent Agency (UTA) and practiced law at two of the top talent boutiques (Gang Tyre & Grubman Indursky) where he represented A-List clients including Spielberg and Madonna. He began his legal career as a litigator and First Amendment lawyer in New York with the 150 year old international law firm Coudert Brothers, representing prominent book publishers along with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

He has been awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine, named to Variety's Legal Impact Report, and is the author of several books including:

“Amsterdam Exposed: An American’s Journey Into the Red Light District” (winner of 15 literary awards, including the Grand Prize at the 2018 Hollywood Book Festival) and

“Making It on Broadway: Actors’ Tales of Climbing to the Top” (foreword by Jason Alexander from Seinfeld).

His first book "Last Time: Labour’s Lessons from the Sixties” was co-authored at the age of 23 with a member of British Parliament.

He has taught entertainment law for 20+ years, including at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, The New York Institute of Technology, The College of New Rochelle and UCLA, and is the founder of the premier online entertainment law class Entertainment Law Exposed.

He was educated at Columbia, Oxford, The London School of Economics, Berkeley Law, and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and is admitted to practice law in New York and California.

Before beginning his career as an entertainment lawyer, he was the host of the talk radio show "Estonia Today" on Estonia National Radio, worked within the Governor of California’s legal affairs office, and worked for the LA District Attorney’s office during the Menendez murder trial. Also, he worked as a speechwriter and staff member for a Member of British Parliament, as a researcher for The Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, and as a statistician for CBS Sports.

He is a graduate of ARTA’s professional whitewater river rafting school in Idaho and guided river trips for several years in California and Oregon, and is a founder and former musical director of both Columbia's Uptown Vocal and The Oxford Alternotives, Oxford University's oldest a cappella close harmony group.

Reviews

[Labijose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quería leer algo que tuviese relación con Amsterdam antes de mi viaje a esa maravillosa ciudad (aparte de las guías de viaje, que las hay muy buenas), y este libro parecía ideal. Se supone que está escrita por un americano que pasa un semestre en la ciudad con dos objetivos: Terminar su formación como futuro abogado, y escribir un ensayo sobre el Barrio Rojo y la prostitución.

Lo primero que salta a la vista es que está escrita por un americano, las divagaciones filosóficas en las que incurre sólo se le pueden atribuir a una persona proveniente de dicho país. Después nos encontramos con el desfase entre la fecha en la que ocurrieron los hechos (1999) y la fecha de la finalización del libro (2018). ¡Casi 20 años tarda en escribir lo que, en resumidas cuentas, no es más que una conversación que tiene con una prostituta que trabaja en dicho distrito, y que además solo abarca un capítulo final del libro! Por supuesto el autor nunca llega a acostarse con ella, pese a lo mucho que la desea. Él está por encima de esas trivialidades.

Y ya si nos metemos en harina y analizamos el libro en profundidad, yo al menos me quedo con la duda de si realmente el autor ha vivido lo que cuenta, o todo es producto de su fantasía. Por no desvelar nada no destrozaré el contenido, pero se me hace muy difícil de creer que alguien se pueda “tragar” que los hechos ocurrieron tal y como el Sr Wienir nos los relata. Sencillamente, NO me lo creo. I don’t buy it, Mr Wienir! Sólo dejadme que desvele una de las muchas inconsistencias: Emma (la prostituta en cuestión, de la cual es imposible no enamorarse, dicho sea de paso), ¡pasa dos años enteros viviendo en su cubículo tras la cortina, cuando se entera de que su “chulo” se está acostando con otra! Algo totalmente inconsistente, ya que hubiese tenido que pagar el alquiler del lugar a un precio totalmente inalcanzable ….. Y hay muchas otras barbaridades que, le repito al autor, no me trago en absoluto.

Sólo salvaré las descripciones de Amsterdam, sus calles y sus locales. Porque de los personajes no se salva ni uno. Tal vez Emma. Pero para eso ya tenemos Google Maps, You Tube y muchos otros medios. Medios que quizás el autor conoce mejor que la propia Amsterdam, por no hablar del famoso Barrio Rojo. Y es una pena, porque este libro prometía mucho, pero ha sido un completo fiasco. Por cierto, ¡Amsterdam sigue tan maravillosa veinte años después de mi primera visita!

[Janelle Janson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Smith Publicity for providing my copy of AMSTERDAM EXPOSED by David Wienir - all opinions are my own.

I always love reading books set in places I’ve never traveled to. Amsterdam is high on my list of places to go, so this memoir definitely caught my eye. AMSTERDAM EXPOSED is part travel diary and part investigative journalism, and as the byline states, it's “an American’s Journey into the Red Light District”. I can’t say that this book is for everyone, but I found it really fascinating. Wienir exposes the underbelly of Amsterdam’s 1990’s world of drugs and prostitution. For me, it was enlightening because I knew nothing about it.

This is a quick, easy read that gives you a ton of insight into the author’s experience. The most exciting aspect of the book is the incredible detail about Amsterdam, from the streets, to the bars, to the people. I loved it! During Wienir’s quest to interview women in the red light district, he is able to connect with a woman who tells her story. Wienir does an excellent job keeping you invested in his journey and his budding new friendship with a woman he met under intriguing circumstances. AMSTERDAM EXPOSED is a great reflection on the author’s life and I am grateful I got the chance to read it!

[Truusje · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amsterdam Exposed is not an easy book to review. Part of that is because I’m Dutch and I had my orange-tinted goggles on while reading the book. First of all, I must say the attention to detail when it came to Amsterdam was incredible. David Wienir’s use of the Dutch language was also flawless. At some points I found it a bit difficult to believe the events in the book, but at other times I realised that people who are not born with orange-tinted goggles could interpret certain events the same way as Wienir does. Having said that, I really must correct one misconception: when the euro was introduced in 2002, prices didn’t double. 1 euro was valued at roughly 2.20 guilders and prices were converted accordingly. Companies who tried to use the introduction of the euro as a way to sneakily hike their prices were fined.

Let me now take off my orange-tinted goggles and have a look at the actually story of the book. And that’s also where the first major issue appears. In 1999 Wienir went to Amsterdam to study at a Dutch university for a term and also to write a book about the red light district. I never understood what he wanted to achieve with his book, or even what type of book he intended to write. His research mainly consisted of hanging around the area and trying to get prostitutes to talk to him while they were trying to work. Not only does that not seem a very unscientific approach to me, but it also isn’t very respectable towards women who are trying to make a living. Another thing that bothered me that Weinir doesn’t take his own views on prostitution into consideration. Those views clearly colour his impressions of what he encounters on de wallen but he never questions his own ideas. To me it seemed he thought prostitutes were all unhappy and needed to be rescued. However, he doesn’t back this up with any facts. He also never discusses very relevant topics such as women forced into prostitution by other people (and human trafficking) or other circumstances (poverty). The power of pimps and the owners of the windows is completely ignored as well. Instead we have the story of a 20-something year old American guy who spends some time in Amsterdam drinking, smoking weed and harassing prostitutes. His idea of being subjective involves not sleeping with prostitutes and not paying for information. He manages to convince one prostitute to talk to him and her story is an interesting read. But without the context of other stories, it lacks value. Its main function also seems to show the author is different from all the other guys hanging around de wallen, because there was a real connection between him and the woman. The epilogue is rather ridiculous in this respect. I also didn’t appreciate the remarks about Chinese men.

All in all, I was not impressed with this book. The fact that it takes place almost 20 years ago and things have changed a lot since then does not help either. 2 stars.

*** I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***

[Randal White · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a tough book to review. It left me feeling sad. While I was somewhat amused by the author's take of the Netherlands and the Dutch people, the main subject matter of the book is disturbing.
Several (many?) years ago, the author spent a semester of law school in Amsterdam studying International Law. At least, that was what he was supposed to be doing. His real motive in going to Amsterdam was to indulge his voyeuristic tendencies and explore the "red light" district. He wanted to discover why women chose a life of prostitution. And to write a book about it.
To do this, his methodology was to hang around the district, trying to befriend prostitutes, to get them to open up to him about their career choice. He found himself shut down, time after time. Eventually, he finds one woman who indulges him, meeting him for a few lunches.
On his last night in Amsterdam, he finally convinces her to meet with him and be interviewed. He then proceeds to drag the woman through hell, pulling out her darkest, most disturbing secrets about her upbringing and life. While this might be helpful if done by a trained psychologist, in a controlled setting, it most definitely should not be done by a untrained person, for the purposes of satisfying his own voyeurism! And, after he drains the woman of all her memories and shames, he just leaves her! Up and leaves the very next morning.
That would be a sad enough ending for the book, but the author is not done. He returns a few years later, and finds the woman again. For what purpose, I have no idea. She has turned her life around. She's out of the prostitution business, is engaged, and has a young child. But upon seeing the author again, she tells him that she will give up all she has, all she has worked for, if the author will take her. And what does he do? He leaves her again! How cruel!
So, here it is, several years later again. He finally writes his book. And ends it with the hope that the woman, who he has lost touch with, sees it. As if to torture her one more time.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amsterdam exposed felt like coming back for another visit to Amsterdam. It was exactly how I had experienced the city in previous visits.

David Wienir's description of how he wanders the streets of Amsterdam are very realistic and similar to what every tourist would experience. The big difference is when he finally finds a prostitute that is actually willing to share her experiences and how she got into prostitution with him.

Since I grew up in Germany where prostitution is more or less legal and sex is discussed in books or TV a lot more frequent it was a tame read for me. It never discussed forced prostitution and the dealing with very "weird and pervert" requests of customers. Nevertheless it was an interesting and fascinating insight into one of the oldest and "most mysterius" professions in the world.

I wish there would have been stories from more than one woman... but it is a great read that takes you right into the streets, bars, brothels and narrow alleys with its famous windows of the Amsterdams red light district.

It was a quick and easy read that captured my interest from the first page to the last.

I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Smith Publicity and the author provided me with an advance copy.

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Wienir is an LA entertainment lawyer, who has authored four books. Although this is the most recent one he's published, he started writing it back in 1999 as a law school student prowling Amsterdam's Red Light District for literary content. It surprises me that Wienir waited 18 years to release this, in the midst of Mansplaining, the #MeToo movement, and all the Harvey Weinstein fallout, without referencing or even seeming to be aware of any of it. Wienir gives political-correctness a wide berth, with a couple mentions of midgets, Eurotrash, and ridiculing Chinese anatomy.

I wish he'd done more research, rather than basing the book on his subjective view: Amsterdam may be the most beautiful city in Europe, and possibly the world... looking back, it's safe to say about 20% of the women were gorgeous, 50% attractive, and the remaining 30% not-sogood... I often found myself standing face to face with some of the creepiest guys ever... the prettiest girl... we passed one beautiful girl after another who didn't seem to belong there. Almost all of them were stunning... No one would have guessed I was walking with a prostitute. In that moment, she was just a normal girl... "Don't look at me like that," she said adoringly.

Wienir claims to have written this about the inherent worth of the individual, "it was never my intention to pass judgment on the world of prostitution, it was my intention to cast new light on the red light district and the women who work there. I never thought of myself as being above any of the women in the district, just differently situated." Wienir makes numerous references to the Dutch people's purported stinginess, while describing near-violent altercations he had with wait staffers over things like napkins and complimentary cookies. He also admits to "eating far too many peanuts at the bar" of a bordello he doesn't pay for sex at, and when he finally finds the one sex-worker in Amsterdam willing to let him interview her (about how unbearable the work is, how terrible the hours, the toll it takes on her life and well-being, and how it's all about the money) he lets her pay for the meal they share.

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing with Amsterdam Exposed is that it’s such a well meaning book, it’s difficult to disparage it in any way. But then again, not impossible, so…well, it’s ok, it really is. It’s about a 26 year old American law student who goes to Amsterdam for a semester to study abroad, but mainly with a view to write a book about the prostitution situation there. Don’t smirk, it’s surprisingly unseedy and almost overwhelmingly sincere. No money exchanges, he wants someone to voluntarily tell him their story and after much searching and negotiation he finds the one and something like the final quarter of a book is just a really sad story of a young woman who ends up as the girl in one of the windows in the Red District. And yes, this is a real story, a real experience of the author (a man with a stunningly variegated career) from 1999. So it’s something of a mash up of sociology and a travelogue, though it works nicer as the latter, you get an interesting if somewhat dated look at one of the best (well, it is, isn’t it) cities in the world. The heavy handed moral in the epilogue one can do without. Then again everyone has their thoughts and views on prostitution, it’s certainly been around long enough. The writing is serviceable, but the language can get somewhat stilted, the man’s a lawyer by training, not a born storyteller, the book does read like it was written by a young man, so in that way it does indeed do justice to the author’s 1999 perspective. I enjoyed the armchair trip to Amsterdam (I'll travel there any way I can), it’s a lovely destination, far more so than my previous one of Lagos, so that part was nice and it was a quick and easy read. Thanks Netgalley.

[Realmccoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did you ever think he made this whole thing up? Maybe he truly intended to write about the district, albeit from the 'white savior' perspective, but when he found no one wanted to talk to him, he made up a stereotypical narrative of what he imagines every one if the prostitutes childhood must have been, how they had the stereotypical violent boyfriend who got them into prostitution (whom Emma feels betrayed by when he 'sleeps with her best friend' - come on, how basic - as if beating and prostituting her weren't enough betrayal), and projects HIS notion of what their self worth must be onto Emma. Shocker, she doesn't feel worthy of anything because she sold her body (a phrase he uses way too much in their 'conversation' just in case we don't fully understand the shame he thinks she must feel). I started doubting him when he threw the first necklace in the canal - I mean seriously! That only happens in bad movies (or book in this case). What a weird thing to bring someone you hardly know -oh, but I forgot, he is just SO gallant. I hope anyone reading this knows there is so much more to Amsterdam. Don't take this (made up) story seriously. - When I wrote all this I hadn't finished the book yet.. Now I have and it's even worse! He learns after one day of asking her questions that she's decided to give up 'the life' because of his book (once again, he is the savior) - even though he has told us her opinion that once you're in, society won't let you out, you are stuck, blah, blah then she just decides she's done and, poof - she figures it out. And O. M. G. - he comes back in a year, she has a baby and a fiancé but during his visit she invites him to look at her wedding dress and basically asks him to propose to her instead. There is SO much to talk about but this book is a complete lie and this author is very self-important.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my blog for more about the author and to read an excerpt from the book!

I have never been to Amsterdam, so this was something the piqued my curiosity. I always love reading stories or memoirs about places I haven't been to yet. I love when the authors can place the reader there and really set the scene for the rest of the novel.

These memoirs are always hard to review. It's a part of someone's life and their experiences as they remember and saw it. There are some topics covered in this novel that definitely aren't for everyone and I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers. We go on a journey with the author as he tries to find women in the industry to interview for his book - which was a lot harder than you would have thought! This memoir is equal parts exposé and travel diary, and it definitely kept my interest throughout.

I was impressed with the rules he set in place for himself from the beginning when it came to trying to interview the women in the sex industry of the red light district. I was no expecting the story that I got, and I was pleasantly surprised! I figured this would be a coming of age story of a young man going to the red light district for the first time. Instead we get a detailed look into the world of drugs and prostitution. I find these topics incredibly intriguing and would recommend this to those that feel the same way.

I give this 3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating.

[Katya Vinogradova · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free digital copy of this book from Smith Publicity via NetGalley.

The main feeling I have about this book is... meh. It's a nothing feeling. The book was dull, despite its subject matter and the word "exposed" in the title. That's false advertising right there. At least go with "explored" or "explained". There's nothing new or particularly interesting here. Or perhaps there is, but I was unable to connect with the author through his prose so the book really went over my head (also I skimmed quite a bit).
I have the same reaction that I did with that book about Prague... the Chimera of Prague, I believe it was called. Another memoir of an American's life in a strange exotic city, where the city turns out to be so much bigger than the author's grasp.
Honestly, both Prague and Amsterdam deserve better authors.

[Tiffany Kwong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a boy's journey to becoming a man. Surprisingly, it's a book filled with symbolism and reflection. The idea to write this book began when David was a naive law student looking to be immersed in a different country and culture completely unfamiliar to home. Yet, he's taken until now, as a middle-aged man, to fully process the lessons and memories from that time and memorialize it in this book.

Although David's story centers around occurrences in the red light district, the book metaphorically speaks to curiosity, exploration and love as a whole. Amsterdam Exposed not only tells the story a girl and boy meeting under unusual circumstances, but also casts a unique light on what Amsterdam and the Red Light District once was in the 90's.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forget Frommer's or Berlitz, Amsterdam Exposed reads part tour guide, mostly social commentary in the author's memoir of his time spent in Holland as a college student, as he tries to collect material for his latest book he wants to write. The author encounters a colorful cast of characters and becomes educated on the myriad of lifestyles and customs in the European city. The author does finally get his interview from a subject who works in the red light district; they develop a bond bordering on tentative friendship that deepens as they develop trust. The author does a good job of pulling the reader in and identifying with him in his day to day routine. The reader has to be very open minded with the subject matter in order to grasp the message of his story. I hope Emma's story truly had a happy ending and she didn't return to her former lifestyle.
I received a galley/ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Wienir is a gifted storyteller. This book reads as if you are sitting across from an old friend, on of those special nights that turns into morning, trading shared memories of days passed and lost youth. David had written a love letter to the city of Amsterdam and leads readers on a journey filled with humanity, honesty and pathos. Each chapter draws you further into this complicated and bittersweet tale of one young man's personal exploration and awakening. I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. A great success by David Wienir and a story that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more from this talented author.

[Redndead · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overly smug

I'm not sure what this guys like in real life, but this book makes him seem the sort of smug, sanctimonious type that gives Americans such a bad name

[Avanti Centrae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant. Intensely personal. Moving and unforgettable.

Amsterdam is a gorgeous city, arguably one of Europe’s most iconic, with its canals, bridges, distinct architecture, coffee shops, and public art. As Wienir artfully describes, a late night bicycle pedal through the city becomes a dazzling experience: “Biking through any European city in the still of night is transcendent, doing so in Amsterdam is divine.” But there’s a part of the city, the Red Light District, that is pretty on the surface, but filled with ugliness once you delve deeper.

Centuries old, the haunting red lights of the district illuminate women selling their soft bodies for hard currency behind curtained glass walls‎. This memoir takes the reader on a journey to the other side of those walls, into the dark side of beauty.

In this age of the #MeToo movement, the Bill Cosby sentencing, and the Kavanaugh hearings, if prostitution freaks you out, I get it. I, too, find the subject matter of the world’s oldest profession upsetting.

But this award-winning tale is about so much more than that. It’s about love, redemption, connection. About living in the moment, about making a difference. So read it anyway.

I’m glad I did. The book won this year's Hollywood Book Festival, and I figured there was something special about it. I had traveled to Europe ten years before the author, and imagined his adventures outside of the district would remind me of a time when I carried my only worldly possessions on my back, and saw the world through fresh, innocent eyes. That was a pivotal time for me and I knew I’d enjoy a walk down cobblestoned European memory lane. However, although I’d visited Amsterdam several times, the district was never part of the itinerary. Although it’s not exactly legal, the Dutch are more upfront about the profession. I was curious. What pulls a woman into prostitution? What is it like? Does she enter of her own free will? Is it as horrible as it sounds? Can she ever leave?

The author is drawn to the district, moth to the flame style. While in Amsterdam for an abroad semester of law school, he wants to meet a working woman, and tell her story. It turns out to be far more difficult than he imagined. None of the women want to have anything to do with him. He won’t have sex with them, or give them money, so they insult him and slam doors in his face.

After countless rejections on the rain-drenched streets of the district, he finally connects with a stunning woman named “Emma”, and she haltingly agrees to tell him her tale. But it isn't easy for her to open up. Years of abuse and distrust have colored her perspective, and she stands him up, cuts short their appointments, and doesn't return his calls. When she does eventually agree to a meeting at her home, Wienir even wonders if she could be setting him up for some sort of dangerous altercation with a boyfriend or pimp.

Finally, on the eve of his departure back to America, sitting on a couch in her apartment, Emma shares what it’s like, working under the ghostly red lights every night. It’s a gut-wrenching, sorrowful‎ conversation. Cue the thunder, lightning, and downpour. Even your umbrella won't save you now.

But it turns out there's much more to Emma and her story than meets the eye. ‎No spoilers here. Let's just say that her story is intense and unforgettable. Although the author does a striking job illustrating scenes of the city, it's Emma who lights up the tale, stealing the show.

If you're open to learning about the sexual underbelly of Europe, and hearing the occasional graphic description, Emma's account, once heard, can't be unheard. You'll walk away with your heart not broken, but broken open, seeing that love glows in even in the darkest corners. As Wienir quotes Anne Frank, “I don’t think of all the misery, but all the beauty that still remains.”

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Advanced reading copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
4 stars.
David Wienir is now a business affairs executive and entertainment law instructor at UCLA Extension.
‘Amsterdam exposed’ will be coming out on May 1st 2018, but the events in it take place in last 1990s, when the author is an exchange student in Amsterdam. Where does he get idea for a book about prostitution? After his first semester at Berkeley, the author and his friends go to to Reno, where a witty taxi driver takes him and his friends to the most famous brothel in the world, even if they doesn't ask for it. Once inside, Sarah, one of the girls, offers David an innocent tour. Once in Amsterdam, David doeths his idea which, after 18 years become this book. In his semester abroad he walks De Wallen's street, the largest and best known red-light district of the town, every nights, hoping to write a book about the infamous district. He wants to write a book from the reader's perspective, find a girl who wants to tell the truth, without money exchanging hands. Although Oliver, is neighbor across says the girls 'in the window', will not allow him in their workplace for free, night after night David keeps on walking De Wallen’s street, keep on knocking on the windows, keep on making clear that all he wants is write his book without "judgment on the world of prostitution", that he doesn't want sleeps with the girls. And the girls keep on shutting the door on his face. Only one girl doesn’t shut her door at his request; she doesn’t ask him for “50 guilders”. Emma: a girl in her early twenties seems to want help him. But no time is a good time for helping David with his book, whereas anytime's the right time for a paying costumer. But David feels a connection with this girl, and, in his last night in Holland, Emma allows him in her home, her true home, and gives him her story.
This is not an easy book, but everyone should read it. I like re-live Amsterdam, read about ‘getting a bike’, the Dutch people’s temper…
Wienir really writes "a story of the search for innocence”. It’s not easy to write about one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world without giving in to the temptation to experience the miscellaneous attrattives of ‘Amsterdam’s windows’. Once in Amsterdam, everybody does the tour in the red-light-district, for different reasons. I did it too. And, believe me, as a woman, it was not easy. I have two conflicting thoughts about prostitution at the same time. it rips my guts out every time I see a prostitute in the street, even during the day. Then I think that It's good that there were brothels, red-light-districts, and so on, ‘cause then the girls are warm, safe from violence, but then again I think that every single one of those women has a sad life story. A story that everyone can easily imagine: an unhappy childhood in a troubled family, a life penniless. The author, when he manages to ask Emma about her life, searching for something positive, he asks her if she ever have good days 'in the window', if she is ever happy, Emma says "No. How can you be happy if you have to sell your body? That's why I sometimes use drugs, to look happy."
If you want to if, at the end, Emma reaches happiness, all you gotta do is read ‘Amsterdam exposed’. You really should read it.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I have to warn potential readers that this book contains frank discussions and detailed descriptions about adult issues and is 100% NOT SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN.

** This book also contains details of several trauma triggers. Included topics include drug use, rape, child abuse, suicidal thoughts, and detailed sexual encounter descriptions.**

The author began working on this book in 1999 when he was in Law school; studying in Amsterdam for a semester.

Anyone who has ever given thought to Amsterdam has to admit to being at least mildly curious about its "coffee shops" and it's notorious "Red Light District." Author David Wienir was curious as well, and had gone to Amsterdam not only to study Law,  but also with the express intent to write a book about it's prostitutes and how they had ended up 'working the windows'.

This initially sounded to me like a young, red-blooded male giving himself an excuse to visit and obtain the services of prostitutes under the guise of writing a book. That supposition was quickly proven wrong. David was serious about his book and, early on, he set firm rules for himself which included not paying prostitutes to talk and never becoming a "customer" no matter how much he might have been tempted.

The book details his difficulty in finding women who were interested in being part of his book - for free, and also explains his eventual luck in finding a prostitute who was willing to open up to him.

In addition to David's writing for his book, he also describes his time in Amsterdam - the friends he met,  the adventures they had and the places they visited. This book is part travelogue, part exposé and all riveting.

David Wienir has crafted an extremely readable tale that will both fascinate and horrify readers in equal measure.
Whatever your thoughts are regarding the morality of prostitution, this book is something that everyone should read.

I guarantee AMSTERDAM EXPOSED will make you think more deeply on many issues and since the events chronicled in this tome take place twenty years in the past, readers will be be transported to an earlier, more carefree era.

I rate this book as 4 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and commend David Wienir for having the courage and compassion to write about a topic that most people pretend not to see.

Thanks to NETGALLEY for providing me with a free copy of this book.

To read more of my reviews visit my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Follow me on Instagram @Amiesbookreviews

[TANYA FENMORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, you hear twentysomething American exchange student goes to Amsterdam, and most likely falls in love with a "hooker with a heart of gold" naively thinking he can "change" her. But that is not what Wienir's brilliant piece of writing is about at all. It explores a very special trust and frienship between two unlikely souls who learn from one another. It gives an honest, insightful dive into the combination of circumstance and personal choice someone must make before entering the lurid industry of prostitution. Hollywood and other novels have often glamorized prostitutes and strippers which only increases the naive male fantasy. What Wienir does here with his intelligence, wit, and raw honesty is to reveal exactly what happened emotionally, physically, etc. to lead to this belief that prostitution has become "the ony option" for a viable career. The thesis points to our own insecurities (perhaps jammed into our head by authority figures such as parents or teachers), get stamped permanently in our psyches, so that we believe we deserve nothing better -- that we deserve nothing more than selling bodies for money, than abusive relationships, then acceptance of being treated as less than human. My main takeaway is that whatever the career choice or relationship - whether it be acting as a slave to the red light district window customers and pimps, or being a slave to a corporate lawyer job, it is up to us to make a decision that we are human and deserve more. An important message, one that I would personally love to see adapted into a feature film or streaming series original not only because it will give two talented actors some unbelievably great writing to show their acting chops, but also because it is a very universal important message that goes way beyond the red light in the window. Definitely would recommend and is worth the read, Wienir is a superb writer.

[Kevin A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the good fortune to read an advance copy of "Amsterdam Exposed" by David Wienir. As helpful context, I previously served as the story editor for Ixtlan Productions. There, I helped analyze and develop Oscar, Emmy, and Pulitzer-caliber stories for Oliver Stone, the late Milos Forman, and the novelist Robert Olen Butler. I have evaluated over 500 literary properties, from scripts to books, providing notes on premise, plot, characters, dialogue, tone, and screen adaptation.

David has written an immensely entertaining autobiographical travel memoir that never suffers from sentimentality. His sense of humor as well as his search for love and truth in, of all places, Amsterdam’s Red Light District was a joy to read. The writer never shies from the discomfort and need of relationships in a zone that forbids them. David’s story is not crude; instead, it asks questions of how each of us got to our stage in life. And like a good travel memoir, "Amsterdam Exposed" next asks where should we go in a heartless world offering a possibility of love?

"Amsterdam Exposed" reminds the reader of the thrill and heartbreak of crossing borders, whether it’s between countries, districts, or minds. There is no smut in this story. It is her profound narrative and his. The lead characters’ unconventional love story will not be resolved until the final chapter. Because this is not a 'love story' per se; it's a story about unexpected love and loss of naivete and social norms. I recommend "Amsterdam Exposed" because of what it is -- humanity revealed in one of the darkest most-intimate neighborhoods. I read the book as a professional and enjoyed it as an explorer, walking down the twisting ancient cobblestone streets and into the intelligent minds of a modern American writer and Dutch worker. You will not forget "Amsterdam Exposed."

[Laura Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a sharp, brilliant eye to detail. The author gives us a take on one of Europe's most discussed places: The Red Light District. The detail in this novel is told via names of streets, cafes, and fully descriptive details of each place, taking us on the journey along David as he recounts his time spent there.

This memoir is truly groundbreaking and one of its time. David breaks through what we think we know of this place and shows us what it truly is. This famous tourist attraction is not just sex and neon-lit streets but rather one full of pain and heartbreak. David lifts the veil and shows us the lives of the women that work here and what they endure to survive. 

One questions how can such a place be so dark when its so brilliantly lit. When the reader travels with David in this book we are pulled from our comfort zones as we wish to pull through the novel and help the women in this district from such a horrible fate.

This memoir truly is evocative. This emotional story is one heck of a ride from start to finish. I normally don't read many memoirs but this one fascinated me, when I saw the cover and saw the description. The cover to me speaks of the memoir itself. This cover is beautiful and captivating from the outside but once you get inside the cover (to the actual story) it is heartbreaking and emotional, much like what David describes The Red Light District to truly be. Beauty on the outside but at closer look it is full of secrets, heartaches and so much more. 

5/5 stars from me.

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Wienir has a way with words. His Amsterdam Exposed is easy and pleasant to read.

Repeatedly, he asks what and why it is that women who make or made money by selling their bodies are seen less than humans. In society, it seems not abnormal to make disparaging comments about prostitutes or sex workers.

Too bad he is not that persistent when it comes to people (exclusively men in this book) who pay to have sex, but who are not regarded with slander. Who don't have to deal with contemptuous behavior.

He throws facts and figures around like people feeding the pigeons at Dam Square. Unfortunately, when referring to the red light district De Wallen, he narrows his storyline down to anecdotal information. And even though part of his story is heart breaking, David Wienir fails to reproduce statistics regarding human trafficking, slavery and underage sex workers in this story.

That said, I really enjoyed Wienir's description of Amsterdam at the end of the last millennium. Most of it is accurate and apart from the serious subject it was funny and lighthearted in a good way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

[Robert Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through bragmedallion. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I have no words for this book, I am just glad David kept his word and wrote the book. I can't began to explain how much this book really touched my heart though. So much that I can say, love can be found anywhere and things can happen.

Throughout this book, it has been a constant game of waiting for someone to help him write his book. I don't believe me says this will ruin anything but when he finally did find the person who was going to help. She basically caught feelings for him from the very beginning. The ending is what will really catch you off guard.

I would recommend this book to anybody who loves a good non-Fiction book as I have enjoyed this book.


[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Wienir is astute about so many things: the expatriate temperament and experience; the characteristics and habits of the Dutch people; the topography and climate of the Netherlands; the ambiance of Amsterdam, night and day; the positives and negatives of relying on tourists for income; the single-mindedness of people living on the edge; the curiosity, gaucherie, and romanticism of the American abroad; the difference in the international world pre- and post- 9/11; the temporal yet lasting nature of relationships; and so much more.

Underlying this is a serious and moving investigation into the nature of the sex trade, eschewing judgement and avoiding facile explanations. Emma is an enigmatic but compelling character; as with the protagonist, the reader never really understands her but does come to care for her and, despite an epilogue that suggests the opposite, hope her life brings her more happiness than she experienced up to 1999.

[Vicky Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a traveler and travel blogger I am an advocate for intense research before a trip. It’s not just about researching the “how to” of a trip, but also immersing in the culture and history of a place, to truly feel what makes it unique and worth visiting. Novels, memoirs and movies are great ways to do this.
In Amsterdam Exposed, Author David Wienir engages the reader in a world in which many are curious but might be afraid or unwilling to explore. His engaging and descriptive writing style draws the reader in to a raw and graphic existence most of us don’t think much about. Yet, he tells an intensely human story vividly, and with great compassion. His goal is not just to satisfy curiosity, but to create understanding.
The story takes place in 1999 as an American university student spends a semester studying in Amsterdam and researching the Red-Light district. The book gives recent historical perspective for travelers going to Amsterdam, but will equally engage the armchair traveler with no prospects of ever visiting the Netherlands.
The story is filled with tragedy, comedy, and love. All great elements of a captivating read.
Because of its graphic subject matter and honest narrative, this is an “adult only” book, and is only recommended for mature adults.
Victoria Hart
Journeysjauntsandjunkets.com

[Jerry Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Amsterdam Exposed" is a unique diary/journal of a college student's time adjusting to and exploring one of Europe's most fascinating cities. It's a broad overall view as David experiences cultural differences as an expat; explores the deep depths of the Red Light District; and dares to investigate what life is like behind the windows of the women in them. But at the same time his story feels deeply personal, describing Amsterdam through an American's eyes, often with humorous touches as he navigates through the city. But what really sets this book apart is David's earnest quest to interview prostitutes for a book he's writing. As stated by his Dutch colleagues, this is a crazy and impossible endeavor and his efforts and struggles are just as interesting as the subject he's writing about. David's tenacity pays off when he finally gets one woman's attention but isn't willing to spill her guts so soon. She's an enigmatic and mysterious figure and over time a special bond and trust between them develops. You can tell there is a real chemistry between them and David skillfully conveys that there is some kind of attraction building, although it's not necessarily love or sexual. As she answer's David's thoughtful questions with her heartfelt and honest stories, she becomes very likable and relatable. And that's the point of the book. It doesn't judge, it doesn't preach. It proves that prostitutes are human as you and I.

[Brittany Grasmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Amsterdam Exposed, and needless to say, it did not disappoint. Notorious for getting bored and losing interest in books half way through, imagine my surprise as I finished Amsterdam Exposed in just one weekend. Eager to see how the story would unfold, I could NOT put this book down.

This is a perfect read for explorers, world travelers, students, and corporate desk jockeys. Perfect for believers in the power of the human connection or those seeking greater understanding of the human condition. Because the author began writing this love story in 1999, it contains a certain naivete juxtaposed against a palpable growth and understanding which could only be obtained through experience and reflection—perhaps my favorite aspect of the book. Furthermore, much like life, the story does not provide a sense of closure nor fairytale ending we read about all too often. It instead opens the conversation around tough topics like prostitution and invites discussion, introspection, and possibly even inspired action.

As a world traveler myself, Amsterdam has been on my bucket list for years. After reading this book, the immediacy behind visiting this beautiful city has only been amplified. Congratulations to the author for celebrating curiosity and vulnerability in sharing your story!

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amsterdam Exposed is an intriguing and intimate memoir following an American's Journey into the Red Light District. During his studies in Amsterdam in the late 90’s, David Wienir has the aspiration to write a book about the district and everything involved with it, hoping to open the minds of the readers and help with their understanding of the district and the women who work there.

David takes the readers on an adventure through the condemned and misunderstood district from an innocent and curious perspective, seeking answers to the questions most people have not sought. It is a story of hope, a story that is in search of innocence in such a stigmatized area and a story that definitely opens the minds of the readers.

[Fredonna Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a signed copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I didn’t care for Wiener’s writing style, but I enjoyed the story and, from the dedication page on, was always curious to see where the tale was going. Some parts were slow and disappointing (although it seemed like these parts would’ve been more interesting and satisfying if I’d been to Amsterdam), but most of the book created a sense of eagerness, a desire to find out what would happen next.

I left this one thinking deep thoughts about not only the topics of prostitution and culture and relationships and the human experience but also about Wiener’s true motives for the choices he made. (I also left this one curious to read another of Weiner’s books in order to see if his writing style changes with subject matter.)

[Terri's Dangerous When Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love coming of age stories and this book hooked me from the start. The author's voice was clear and honest and anecdotal and at times humorous. He came across as smart but not arrogant. He was curious and learning how to navigate living abroad and encountering the language difference and the culture differences. Just the street names alone would have been stressful but he seemed to take everything with a measure of patience. I found it very interesting how the story with Emma unfolded. I liked the author's philosophy and his conclusions. In the end I learned a heck of a lot and I am glad I read this book.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy and these are my thoughts.

This book is not only inspiring, but truly refreshing. It welcomes the reader into a world that is often stigmatized and misunderstood. In this book, that world is illuminated by truth, empathy and sincere curiosity. It is the adventure of a pure soul seeking the questions most travelers are too weary to ask or too complacent to ponder. Amsterdam Exposed is truly that, Amsterdam exposed!

This is a must read!